A Celebration-of-Life Funeral Liturgy and Memorial Service
Saturday, February 11th (Reuben's 70th birthday) at 1:30 p.m.
Plymouth Congregational Church
at North Capitol Street and Missouri Ave NE
Stories and memories to be shared after the service (more info...)
After more than eight-years of heroically enduring the ravaging effects of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare and fatal neurological disorder, Reuben died peacefully. He never complained about what he was going through and right to the end lived life to the fullest extent possible. As death approached we continued to hold his hands and recite one treasured memory after another. Long his wish, his brain was donated to Mayo Clinic’s PSP Brain Bank to benefit researchers around the world.
Among Reuben’s many specific directives: the words “dead” or “death” are not allowed during the memorial service.
We his family invite you to share on this blog - with others and with us - any of your own memories, stories and tales. Many tales presumed by some to be mythical, have in fact consistently been demonstrated to be true in the life of this much larger than life man we loved and already miss so much.
It seems fitting that Reuben died on the feast of the Epiphany. A skilled sailor, Reuben’s life represents a unique voyage following his own star from Kansas, across continents where he lived and learned from local families, indigenous peoples, political and spiritual leaders of diverse belief traditions, then home to Washington to passionately pursue causes for social justice and peace. In these final decades he was devoted to developing affordable housing for those with special needs.
We will forever know him a one of the “wise men” of the Epiphany—and heartily agree with any who might even say that at times he could be a wise ass. Always with a great sense of humor, determined to keep learning, he generously invited others to share in his challenges and adventures - the platform for endless wonderful stories.
In the photo here Reuben impishly puts in his mouth one of the oversized shamrocks that appeared in our front yard as we all left to trek to the mountains where Andrew and his bride, Krys, cut down our Christmas tree exactly 2 wks. before his heart stopped.
Kathleen, Andrew & Krystel
PS - To post a comment, click on the title of this posting, it will take you to the specific page for this blog entry. When you scroll to the bottom of the page, you will see other comments and a form to add your own. Hope that helps!
PS - To post a comment, click on the title of this posting, it will take you to the specific page for this blog entry. When you scroll to the bottom of the page, you will see other comments and a form to add your own. Hope that helps!
I give my deep and strong support to the familly, and I salute the memory of Reuben who I had the chance to share a small journey with, sailing on the north sea, with his son and friends.
ReplyDeleteDear Kathleen. My heart grieves for you as I think I understand a little of the journey you are about to take. It may be difficult at times, but always hold onto those wonderful times you shared as I'm sure you will. I am here to listen or to talk. Please know how much I care. I will be in touch with you soon but now please wrap yourself in your family and Reuben's warm memories.
ReplyDeleteTim
Dear Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteI was so sad to read your e-mail, it must have been terrible for you....
During the last four months I became very close to your family, especially to Reuben. I admired his strenght and dignity. I will always remember him as an extraordinary human being. Before I left, on December 23, he raised his hand and wanted to thank me for helping him. We shook hands, man to man, for the last time...I was honored to meet him...
May his soul rest in peace
Reuben came into my life late, only about a year and a half ago, when I started reading to him once a week as a volunteer for Capitol Hill Village, an aging-in-place organization. You would think I was doing him a favor but really it was the other way around. He exposed me to books I would never have read otherwise. His selection of books indicated a lot about him and his wide range of interests--one was about politics, another about a 17th century warship, a third one with short philosophical thoughts on almost everything, and the one we didn't finish reading was about the "millennial generation." Even though we didn't speak much because of his disease, we developed a warm relationship and as we learned from the book we were reading, we learned about each other. I could tell he was a special sort of person and and I looked forward to reading to him each time. He and Kathleen became an important part of my life in a very short time. My life was greatly enriched by his and I miss him dearly. My heart goes out to Kathleen, Andrew and Krys who dealt with his disease lovingly and now have to live without him. I wish his family comfort in knowing how special he was to me and others.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, it is impossible to summarize, recount, whatever word you might want to use, what Reuben meant to so many of us. It is so rare for someone to give so much of himself to help others in need of help. It is pretty rare to find a partner who has so many interests, is so knowledgeable, and is humorous, and thoughtful. I don't know anybody who came close to combining all these positive traits, other than Reuben. Lucky us, lucky you, to have known and loved such a man.
ReplyDeleteAnd at the micro level, I will always have Reuben to thank for introducing me to the obscure but exceptional 1996 Etta James CD, "The Right Time." I've gifted that CD to many of my R&B minded friends over the years. Jan and I so much enjoyed our meals with you and Reuben at Aatish as well.
Tom Grahame
I was saddened by Reuben's passing, as were all my other classmates of Abilene High School. Time seems to stop when you remember old friends. Reuben was always very kind to me while we were in high school. I'll never forget his serious side in what we did together or with others. Whatever it was, competing in sports, visiting in the halls, drama class or school plays. He showed that serious side of his personality when we were cruising Buckeye Street, meeting at the bowling alley or stopping at Nockey's Drive-In for a coke. But most of all I remember his flat top hair cut, fun times, and his loud laughter. He was a fair person. After we each started our own careers, he would call me whenever he came back home. I could tell that his serious side turned into a caring and compassionate person. I'm sure his works are hard to measure. His deeds and actions will be remembered by his family and friends. Our 50th class reunion was a great time to remember our school days and to see others. It was an amazing time. A Friend, John Anguiano
ReplyDeleteI met Reuben in 1978. I could tell that he was special person then and he remained so during all these years. He had a great sense of humor and was always so compassionate to everyone. I remember going to a Halloween party with him and he was dressed as a pancake & I was the pancake maker. We went dumpster diving to find parts for his costume! I visted him at his home in Salina just before he left go on his trip around the world. He was getting his airplane pilots license renewed and I flew with him from Salina to Manhatten Kansas. The airport in Manahtten was closed so we landed and turned right around and took off again, he even let me take the controls for a few minutes. I have nothing but fond memories of a loving and gentle man. I pray that he is resting in peace and for the family during this difficult time. Judy gray
ReplyDeleteReuben came into my life in l989. I met him as a man with a personal mission to help the poor and homeless. In order to do this he had just trained himself to be an architect and a developer of housing for the growing population of homeless in Washington, DC. Not content with just promoting or lobbying for good works he forged them himself. He founded Hope Housing with the simple Mission to provide housing for people with special needs, and he invited me to work along with him. He built Hope Housing and later McCornack Inc into a very significant provider of housing for the low income of Washington DC. He developed over 50 special purpose apartment buildings. Working with Reuben gave me a mission too and I will miss him terribly. Toni Russin
ReplyDeleteI met Rueben 12 years ago when he and I worked for Safe Haven Outreach Ministry, Inc.(SHOM). Reuben was a dedicated developer who developed several projects for the poor, people living with HIV/AIDS and the homeless with the help of Marsha Richerson, Executive Director, SHOM. I assisted Reuben on some of his other projects when he would leave the country to visit Andrew. My moms was also a very close friend to Reuben. We wish Kathleen, Andrew and Family the warmest comfort during this transition.
ReplyDeleteI am looking at a plaque on my wall that was presented to me by Reuben on behalf of Community of Hope in 1992 as a result of our joint work on the Family hope Learning Center at 1413 Gerard St., Northwest. This was the second building for homeless families to be managed by Community of Hope. It says: "… By your selfless commitment and skill a beautiful facility was completed to fulfill our call and mission to serve homeless families in need." As soon as I received it, I knew that it described the job that Reuben had primarily and successfully completed, as I was only a helper. I said then and since publicly that he should be so honored, not I, but he emphatically stated that he did not want to be so recognized, and ended any further discussion.
ReplyDeleteBy coincidence, Community of Hope is now completing, after 20 years of loving usage, another renovation to that facility, but not nearly so extensive as the one that Reuben completed so well.
I have met and known many of the families that have been housed in that facility, and many if not most, literally come to tears relating the gratitude of being able to live in such a lovely and welcoming home.
Thank you, Reuben.
It is many years since I have communicated with Reuben so I was saddened to find this site and learn the world has lost such an extraordinary man.
ReplyDeleteReuben and I travelled in Europe in 1981, shared several Australian friends, many adventures and kept in touch over the years. I can attest that myths about Yassar Arafat and hunting turtles are probably true as they were discussed at length. Life with Reuben was always an adventure.
Reuben's wise words guided me many times over the years and even after we lost touch he remained a wonderful role model and inspiration.
Vale Reuben.